A Rural Blog that provides views & insights from a Conservative Georgia Democrat

Monday, August 10, 2009

Air Force vet plans run for WR mayor

WARNER ROBINS — And then there were four.

Chuck Chalk, an Air Force veteran with 20 years of service who currently works as a program manager for an intelligence system at Robins Air Force Base, said Sunday he’s running for mayor Warner Robins.

He joins City Councilman Clifford Holmes Jr. and pharmaceutical sales representative Chuck Shaheen, who both announced last month they intended to run in the November election. Mayor Donald Walker has said he plans to run for re-election. Neither Holmes, Shaheen or Walker returned calls for comment Sunday.

The 42-year-old, whose civic experience consists of serving on church boards and other voluntary posts, said he felt he could do good for the city of a little more than 60,000 by looking into building revenue through the city’s recreation program and deepening the city’s roots in the aerospace industry.

“I know it’s an unusual move for a person,” Chalk said of the mayor’s race being his first foray into politics. “Leadership is where I feel my strong suit is. It’s easier and more comfortable being me.”

Chalk was born in suburban Detroit, but raised in south Georgia and Tampa, Fla., before joining the Air Force. He said he decided to live in Warner Robins after retiring from the Air Force because of the diverse mix the city has to offer.

Chalk, who has a news conference scheduled for Tuesday at the Homer J. Walker Jr. Municipal Complex to officially announce his candidacy, says he intends to file paperwork to receive contributions in the immediate future. The period to file candidacy runs Aug. 31 through Sept. 4.